Drive mechanism for trench digging machine



A. F. LAUE March 18 DRIVE MECHANISM FOR TRENCH DIGGING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 11, 1954 Adolph F L aue INVENTOR.

March 18, l958 A. F. LAUE 2,826,837

DRIVE MECHANISM FOR TRENCH DIGGING MACHINE Filed Aug. 11, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ill"! b IL...

o G H i] Adolph E Laue YINVENTOR.

W- ma March 18, 1958 -A. F. LAUE I 2,826,337

' DRIVE MECHANISM FOR TRENCH DIGGING MACHINE Filed g- 195,4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Adolph F. Laue INVENTOR.

' Fig. 4

United States Patent DRIVE ISM- FOR TRENCHDIGGING MACHINE 7 Claims.

This invention relates-r, to improvements in. ditching machines andyhas for; its, primary objecttthe provision of; an improvedswinchdrive assembly for; effecting-the desired rise, or pitchaina ditch orvtrench: being dug Another object of this invention is. toprovide an im-J I proved winch drive assembly' for ditchingmachines;

which, ,unlike conventional structures; vwill eifect'aw steady and continuous movement o'f the machine-whereby a smoothditch bottom and auniformyriseinithe ditch or trench bei-ng rdugis; obtained.

Still: another object of this: invention; is to provide improvements :in, .the winch ,drivemechanisms, for; ditch ing, machines" wherein change feed mechanisms is. interposedwithin the drivesofthe winch suchthativariations intherspeed of-the'ditchingmachine may, be; obtained while the speed-of the conveyor; carrying the-ditch. cut-e soil-I conditions.

These together witlrother. objects; and advantages. which will. become: subsequently apparent reside s in" the details of construction and, operation;as;more. fully here:v inafter described; and. claimed, reference; being; had to. the accompanying drawingszform-ingga parthereofl'wheree inz like numerals: refer to; \like: parts 3 throughout, .andrin which:::

Figure: l a is ZLLSidBZ elevationalivie'wa of: asdit'ching; mas chinex constructed in accordance; with .this; inventiong.

Figure: 2 1 is: a: horizontal l section; showing: the, lower portion oft the: main: assemblyxand; thezmanner of; intere connection; between; the main; frame and; the trenching boom;

Figure J 3'. is anv enlargedv fragmentary vertical: section takenusubstantiallm along thelplaneco'f SfiCfi'OIl'lil1653-3 int-Figure. 2;:

Figure 4" is; a2 transverse: vertical? section taken substantia'lly alongzthezplanezrofrsectionlineal-94in Figure-:13;

Figure. 5 is: a perspective view showing: one-end por t-iontofialtrenchingboom;and.

Figure: 6:: is; a diagrammatic perspective view/of the improved: winch and/drive. mec-hanismitherefor.

Referring; now more particularly to t the drawings, the trenching machine-will be seen to consist of a main frame assembly: indicated generally by the reference character: 10' incorporating a pair of lower side frame members 12 and 14 and a pair of "upper side frame membersand 18. The variousside frame members are rigidly interconnected attheir rearward ends by a pair' of vertical guidemembers 20 and 22 which-support in turn an upperorosspiece member 24 havingdepench ing wheel" mount frame members 26 and28- depending from itsopposit'e ends which carry suitable spindles for jburnalingthe wheels 30" and 32; The various side frame members areof courserigidly-interconnected by suitable brace means throughout their length and it will be noted that the lower pair of'side framemembers- 12 and 14: project forwardly: beyond the other side frame membersand areprovided thereat. with a tongue member- 34 such; that: the: ditching machine :is": readily; attached ice tor-a tractor assembly-indicatedgenerally by the. reference character 35,.

As will be :seen' most clearly in Figure 2,. a drivev shaft member; 36 is;journaled;transversely: between the side frame membersdz, and 14 v,by means of suitable bearing members; 38; and; 40; mounted .thereon. and attached to one: of; the side; frame: members. 12, one. end portion extending; into agear: housing; assembly 42'. by means of which the drive shaft 36 is drivingly connected with: a powerrtakeaoffi connector; shaft .44 extending forwardly fromzthergear: housing and connectedthrougha suitable flexible-coupling; elementv46 to the-(power take-oifishaft extension-:memberr48'icarriedby theztractor 35.

A sprockettmemberz-Sl) is-rigidly, secured tothe drive shaft 362 intermediate'the side frame members: 12* and 1,4 aandom opposite.- sides of'this' sprocket are provided sleevememberst52zand5 kwhichserve to spacethe boom assembly: indicated; generally. by reference character 56 in; properly spacedzrelationto the'side frame members 121 and 14; the: boom incorporating, as shown most elearlyin FigureS', .an elongatedboom member 58 preferably-'ofrchannelorvbox section and having its forward end"; cut. away inzth'e manner shown such that spaced legsst60pand 6z; aresrpresented for straddling the sprocket 502such thatthe; apertures 64 inthese legs are pivotally received on .thetdrive shaft; 36;

Adjacent itssrearward end the boom member 58 is provided with a rectangular framework assembly 66 which has opposite -side-pieces- 68- and 70 adapted to be positioned closely adjacent the opposedsurfaces of the guide members. 20: and 22, previouslymentioned; to preventdateralswing of the boom assembly; The boom assembly is rigidified by the provision of a pair-of trussl-ike'stringer: assemblies 72jand 74- and, as willbereadily apparent, the rearwardle-nd of 'theboom assembly carries aus'procket'member 76'and-is provided intermediate its ends with a: depending idler sprocket member 78 in a manner shown most clearly in Figure 1; Anendless flexible chain element 80-is trained about the-sprockets 50,: 76 and 78 and this chain carries a plurality ofvarious shaped cutting elements 82 for performing-aditching or: trenching operation.

The ditcher also includes a-manuallyrcontrolledwind= ing-drum member- 84- mounted on themember- 24- above the boom and a cable'86' is wound about thisd'r-um and is dead ended as at 83 to the boomassembly; The

winding drum includes a worm wheel member" engaged by aworm- 92 atthe rearwardend of a crank member 94 which extends-forwardly to terminate in a regionof the tractor- 35 such that the operator of the tractor may manipulate thehandle portion 96 of the crank assembly to operate the: winding drum 8'4" and raise-or lower theboom assembly asdesired.

The above described assembly-is entirely conventional in nature and'forms nopart-ofthis invention; Ordinari- 1y-, ditchers of the type above described utilize a winch assembly for operating the cable 104* which is actuated by means-ofa ratchet mechanism to effect a step by step windingof an anchor cable thereon. In operation of conventional machinestheanchorcable is-payed out for a distance of say feet and firmly securedj to any suitable object which willnot move as the machine is advanced; The tractorisused-onlyfor the; purpose ofderiv-ing thepower talte-oif drive therefrom andno motive powerisapplied: to its wheels-when the unit is operatedi The rise -ofthe ditch; is con-trolledby the operator by manipulating the crank 96'. However, the ditch which results from operation of" conventional: machines leaves something to bedesired in the way of evenness of the ditch inasmuch as the aforementioned ratche tmechanism; imparts-a step by step advance of the machine which causes the ditcher to dip at themoment the advance starts anda consequent raising of the rearward end of the ditching boom. As soon as the ratchet mechanism releases the pull on the anchor cable, the rearward end of smoothing operations if the tile is to be laid in the ditch I with any degree of accuracy. To overcome this objectional feature and to effect a continuous and steady raising of the boom assembly during the ditching operation, the winch assembly shown mostclearly in Figure 6 is utilized.

To overcome this objectionable feature of conventional ditchers, the winch assembly will be seen to consist of a transmission unit 106 rigidly mounted between the upper side frame members 16 and 18 of the main frame and which includes an input shaft member 108 and an output shaft1110. The free end of the input shaft 108 is provided with a sprocket member .112 and a corresponding end of the drive shaft 36 is provided with a sprocket 114 such that the chain member 116 trained about these two sprockets will impart rotation to the input shaft 108. The output shaft 110 is connected by means of a suitable universal joint 118 to a stub shaft 120 which carries a sprocket 122 at its free end. Journaled between the upper side frame members on the main frame assembly forwardly of the input and output shafts of the transmis- V sion is a lay shaft member 124 having sprockets 126 and 128 at its opposite ends in a manner shown. A chain member 130 is trained about the sprockets 122 and 126 and a chain member 132 is trained about the sprocket 128 and a sprocket 134 fixed to one end of the winch shaft 136 which is journaled between the lower side frame members as shown. The winch shaft has a winding drum member 138 rigid therewith and about which the previously mentioned cable 104 is wound.

In operation of the machine, the shifting lever 140 of the. transmission unit is disposed in neutral position and the machine is placed at that point Where itis desired to obtain the lowest point of trenching. With the tractor transmission in neutral, the power take-off extension shaft 48 is operated to rotate the drive shaft 36 and therefore effect movement of the ditching chain. Thereafter, the crank member 94 is manipulated to progressively lower the boom assembly into the ground until the desired ultimate depth of ditch is obtained. At this point, the transmission unit 106 is engaged in one of its several gear ratios depending upon the condition of the soil so that the desired forward speed of the machine and the tractor is obtained. During the forward motion of the tractor and operation of the ditching chain assembly, the

winding drum 138 will be slowly rotatedto take up on the cable 104 and thereby slowly and evenly advance the machine and tractor, permitting the operator to obtain a smooth and even ditch bottom.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood andfurther explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the ap pended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In a ditching machine having a wheeled main frame assembly including a pair of spaced side members, a drive shaft journaled transversely of and between said side members, an elongated boom pivotally received at one end on said drive shaft, a power take-off connector shaft on said frame drivingly connected to one end of said drive shaft, a change speed transmission unit mounted on said main frame above said drive shaftand including input and output shafts, means carried on said frame drivingly connecting said drive shaft and said input shaft,

a winch shaft journaled on said main frame and having a winding drum secured thereon, means carried on said frame drivingly connecting said transmission output shaft and said winch shaft, and a cable wound upon said drum for imparting forward motion to said machine.

2. in a ditching machine having a wheeled main frame assembly including a pair of spaced side members, a drive shaft journaled transversely of and between said side 1 members, an elongated boom pivotally received at one end on said drive shaft, a power take-off connector shaft on said frame drivingly connected to one end of said drive shaft, :1 change speed transmission unit mounted on said main frame above said drive shaft and including input and output shafts, means carried on said frame drivingly connecting said drive shaft and said input shaft, a Winch shaft journaled on said main frame and having a winding drum secured thereon, a lay shaft journaled bn said main frame in spaced relation to the output shaft of said transmission, means carried on said frame drivingly connecting said output shaft and said lay shaft, means carried on said frame drivingly connecting said lay shaft and said winch shaft, and a cable wound upon said drum for imparting forward motion to said machine.

3. In a ditching machine having a wheeled main frame assembly including a pair of spaced side members, a drive shaft journaled transversely of and between said side members, an elongated boom pivotally received at one end on said drive shaft, a power take-off connector shaft on said frame drivingly connected to one end of said drive shaft, a sprocket fixed to the other end of said drive shaft, a change speed transmission unit mounted on said main frame above said drive shaft and including an input shaft and an output shaft, a sprocket on said input shaft, a chain trained about the input and drive shaft sprockets drivingly connecting the same, a winch shaft journaled on said main frame and having a winding drum secured thereon, means carried on said frame drivingly connecting said transmission output shaft and said winch shaft, and a cable wound upon said drum for imparting forward motion to said machine.

' 4. 'In a ditching machine having a wheeled main frame assembly including a pair of spaced side members, a drive shaft journaled transversely of and between said side members, an elongated boom pivotally received at one end on said drive shaft, a power take-off connector shaft on said frame drivingly connected to one end of said drive shaft, a sprocket fixed to the other end of said drive shaft, a change speed transmission unit mounted on said main frame above said drive shaft and in-; eluding an input shaft and an output shaft, 21 sprocket on said input shaft, a chain trained about the input and drive shaft sprockets drivingly connecting the same, a lay shaft journaled on said main frame in spaced relation to the output shaft of said transmission, means canried on said frame drivingly connecting said output shaft and said lay shaft, 2. winch shaft journaled on said main frame and. having a winding drum secured thereto, means carried on said frame drivingly connecting said lay shaft and said winch shaft, and a cable wound upon said drum for imparting forward motion to said machine.

5. In a ditching machine having a wheeled main frame assembly including a pair of spaced side members, a drive shaft journaled transversely of and between said sidemembers, an elongated boom pivotally received at one end on said drive shaft, a power take-off connector shaft on said frame drivingly connected to one end of said drive shaft, a sprocket fixed to the other end of said drive shaft, a change speed transmission unit mounted on said main frame above said drive shaft and including an input shaft and an output shaft, a sprocket on said input shaft, a chain trained about the input and drive shaft sprockets drivingly connecting the same, a winch shaft journaled on said main frame and having a winding drum secured thereon, means carried on said frame including a flexible chain drivingly connecting said trans assess? mission output shaft and said winch shaft, and a cable wound upon said drum for imparting forward motion to said machine.

6. In a ditching machine having a wheeled main frame assembly including a pair of spaced side members, a drive shaft journaled transversely of and between said side members, an elongated boom pivotally received at one end on said drive shaft, a power take-off connector shaft on said frame drivingly connected to one end of said drive shaft, a change speed transmission unit mounted on said main frame above said drive shaft and including input and output shafts, means carried on said frame drivingly connecting said drive shaft and said input shaft, a winch shaft journaled on said main frame and having a winding drum secured thereon,a lay shaft journaled on said main frame in spaced relation to the output shaft of said transmission, a chain drivingly connected between said output and lay shafts, a chain drivingly connected between said lay and winch shafts, and a cable wound upon said drum for imparting forward motion to said machine.

7. In a ditching machine having a wheeled main frame assembly including a pair of spaced side members, a.

drive shaft journaled transversely of and between said side members, an elongated boom pivotally received at one end on said drive shaft, a power take-off connector shaft on said frame drivingly connected to one end of said drive shaft, a sprocket fixed to the other end of said drive shaft, a change speed transmission unit mounted on said main frame above said drive shaft and including an input shaft and an output shaft, a sprocket on said input shaft, a chain trained about the input and drive shaft sprockets drivingly connecting the same, a lay shaft journaled on said main frame in spaced relation to the output shaft of said transmission, a chain drivingly connecting said output and lay shafts, a winch shaft journaled on said main frame and having a winding drum secured thereon, a chain drivingly connecting said lay and winch shafts, and a cable wound upon said drum for imparting forward motion to said machine.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

